Thanks Tom - On that trip I had my D90 (gripped), 18-105 and 70-300 in a Tamrac backpack, together with SB-600, memory cards, blower, lens cloth. Not too heavy and always with me. The biggest bonus was getting a cushioned neck strap, slung long so the camera was over a shoulder and sitting on my hip all day - that made things a lot more comfortable. Luckily the tripod stows in the hold luggage (but not needed for any of these shots)

Great shots. Love the B&W look. Brings back so many memories of our trip there last year. We overnighted at Halong Bay - beautiful place. So many parts of Vietnam are a photographers dream. Hai Van Pass and Ninh Binh provence and the quirky sight of people getting a pedicure or shave on a pavement in amongst all the parked scooters. Only wish I'd had my dslr then.

some lovely great shots looks really good in B&W.
i go to Vietnam every 4 months and love the place, ive taken some great shots but only with a compact. now i got my DSLR I hope i can produce some excelent shots like yours.
seeing them make me miss the place.

Great Photo Phil but Personally I'd go for Color version, the subject especially street photo in Vietnam have unique kind of color like fruit basket on the stall, different tone of colour of building, Bilboard & as well the Pagoda, flags of Vietnam & finally the natural landscape.

The composition, detail sharpness & its depth & finally the subject are Epic & stand out the most. Unfortunately the B&W doesn't work well & really killed the mood for me. Overall Great sets of Photo & I'm sure you're having a great trip to Vietnam

I personally think that Vietnam lends itself to B&W, which gives it a bit more of a timeless quality. Not a lot has changed over time and for example in no 10 the shot could have been taken in the 40s.

Most of these shots were overlooked when I first processed shots from my visit for one reason or another. Converting to B&W seemed to bring something extra out of them.